Hurricanes send Cullen to Senators for Picard

The trade gives the Northeast Division-leading Senators a forward with significant postseason experience. Cullen was a valuable third-line center on the Hurricanes' team that won the 2006 Stanley Cup and reached the Eastern Conference final last year.

The 32-year-old Cullen has 12 goals and 28 assists in 60 games this season. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

Picard is a 24-year-old who has four goals and 11 assists in his fifth NHL season and second with Ottawa, and will be a restricted free agent after the season. The Hurricanes also received the Senators' second-round pick in this year's draft.

Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford says Picard "should become a regular part of the Hurricanes' blue line."

Earlier this week, they dealt veteran defenseman Niclas Wallin to San Jose for a draft pick.